In the Sugar (Lactose) Intolerance condition, the sugars maltose, sucrose, and lactose are broken down by the enzymes such as maltase, sucrase, and lactase which are located in the small intestine’s lining.

Usually, the enzymes break such sugars into the simple sugars including glucose, which are later absorbed into the bloodstream through the wall of person’s intestine. If the needed enzymes are lacking, the sugars can not be absorbed, and is the reason why sugars remain in the person’s small intestine. High sugar concentration draws fluids into the small intestine, resulting in diarrhea.

Unabsorbed sugars are then fermented by bacterias in the person’s large intestine causing flatulence and acidic stool. Deficiency of the enzymes happen in intestine’s infections, tropical sprue, and celiac disease. Deficiency of the enzyme also may be congenital, or it may be resulted from antibiotics such as neomycin. Some lactose intolerance degree happens in approx. 75% of adults.

Individuals, who have lactose intolerance, generally can not tolerate milk and other products containing milk. Some individuals notice this early in their life and trying to avoid dairy products. The children, who cannot tolerate lactose, have diarrhea and do not gain weight when milk is diet part. Adults can have abdominal bloating, diarrhea after eating meal containing lactose, defecation urgent need, Borborygmi (audible bowel sounds), nausea, abdominal cramps, and nausea. More severe diarrhea can prevent proper nutrient absorbtion because they are expelled from the person’s body too fast.

Similar symptoms may be resulted from maltase and sucrase enzymes’ deficiency. The physician suggests lactose intolerance, when an individual experiences symptoms after using dairy products. If an individual has lactose intolerance, using a test lactose’ dose causing diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and bloating in about 30 minutes. Because the test dose is not broken into glucose, blood glucose levels do not rise as they normally do. A small intestine’s biopsy can be done. The small intestine’s specimen is tested under the microscope and examined for lactase or other enzyme activities. Such a test may reveal other possible malabsorbtion causes. Lactose Intolerance may be kept under control by avoiding products consisting of lactose, usually dairy products.

To prevent deficiency of calcium, individuals who avoid dairy products, can use supplements of calcium. In some cases, lactase may be added to milk; the lactase later breaks down the lactose in the milk before an individual drinks it.